August, 2014

Dear Parents/Guardians,
At Armstrong, we know that children who are hungry are less able to focus and that they have
slower memory recall. Hungry children are more likely to achieve lower test scores; they are
also more likely to exhibit hyperactive tendencies as well as to struggle with emotional and
behavioral problems. Because we participate in the federal free and reduced lunch program,
we are helping to ensure that the barrier of hunger is removed during the school day.
However, during these difficult economic times, we understand that many parents struggle to
meet their childrens basic needs including providing enough food for their families.
At Neil Armstrong we have a program that helps to eliminate that hunger barrier called
Backpacks with Snacks. It is modeled on a national program that provides food support for
families qualifying for free or reduced lunches. Armstrong School partners with St. John
Vianney Parish. St. Johns provides backpacks and non-perishable food items. For families
who qualify for free/reduced lunch (and who complete and return the form below), a backpack
with non-perishable food items is sent home with one student per family on the last
Wednesday of the month (or the last day before a holiday). This food is intended to help at
the end of the month when we recognize that money can be tight for many families. Last year
we provided backpacks for more than seventy families, helping about 150 children!
If you would like to participate in the Backpacks with Snacks Program, we ask that
you complete the form below and return it to Danielle Breier, Armstrong Counselor.
The backpacks should be returned the next day after they arrive home. Families
with multiple children should identify the student they would like to pick up the
backpack.
The items that are sent home in the backpacks are easy-to-open non-perishable items that are
nutritious but do not require any cooking (so that children can easily use them). Examples
include such food items as granola bars, peanut butter, and fruit cups. Students will be given
the backpacks on their way home from school on the following days: August 27th,
September 24th, October 15th, November 19th, December 10th, January 28th, February
25th, March 25th, April 29th, May 27th . If you would like your family to participate in the
Backpacks with Snacks program at Neil Armstrong, please complete and detach the form
below, and return it to Ms. Breier as soon as possible. Please feel free to call any of us
with questions.
Respectfully,

The Neil Armstrong Backpacks with Snacks Committee:

Lisa Stevenson, Principal Danielle Breier, Counselor
Mindy Arp, Office Assistant
Nicky Stevenson and Anne Kurth, RE Coordinators, St. John Vianney Parish
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Yes, we would like to participate in the Backpacks with Snacks program at Neil
Armstrong School. We have recorded the above dates on our calendar. We will
return emptied backpacks on the Day after receiving them or immediately after a
school break. Note: for the sake of multiple student families, please identify the student
you would like to bring home the backpack! Return to Armstrong office a.s.a.p. in order
to participate in the program!

Student Name:_____________________________________

Teacher:___________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________

Parent Signature

Date